Track My Internet Speed: The Ultimate Guide to Monitoring Your Connection Over Time

Understanding the consistency and reliability of your internet connection is crucial in today’s connected world. Tracking your internet speed over time not only helps identify potential service issues but also ensures you are getting the service you pay for. Here’s how you can keep tabs on your internet speed effectively.

Using Online Tools for Manual Speed Tests

Online speed test tools are a quick and easy way to check your internet speed. Popular services like Speedtest by Ookla, Fast.com, and Google’s speed test allow users to measure the speed of their internet connection within moments. To effectively track changes over time:

• Schedule Regular Tests: Perform speed tests at various times throughout the day (morning, afternoon, evening) and in different situations (e.g., while streaming, during minimal use).
• Record Your Results: Maintain a spreadsheet where you log the date, time, download speed, upload speed, and ping for each test.

Here is an example of how you might structure your spreadsheet:

Date	Time	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Ping
2024-04-15	10 AM	50 Mbps	10 Mbps	20 ms
2024-04-15	8 PM	45 Mbps	8 Mbps	25 ms

Automated Testing with Software Tools

For those who prefer a set-it-and-forget-it approach, automated testing software can offer a more hassle-free solution to monitor internet speed:

• NetWorx: This tool provides detailed bandwidth statistics, network testing, and application monitoring. NetWorx can automatically log your internet speed at predetermined intervals and generate reports.
• Speedtest CLI: Developed by Ookla, this command line interface tool lets tech-savvy users automate speed tests using scripting and scheduling in the operating system.

Using such tools ensures that you collect data on your internet performance consistently without needing to remember to run manual tests.

Leveraging Router Capabilities

Advanced routers often come equipped with network monitoring tools that can track your internet speed:

• Check Router Features: Look into whether your router can log speed data and review these logs to understand trends and patterns in your internet speed.
• Router Apps: Some routers are managed through mobile apps that provide real-time analytics on your internet speed and other network statistics.

Script Your Own Solution

If you have programming skills, consider creating a custom script to test internet speed:

• Leverage APIs: Use APIs provided by services like Speedtest to fetch speed data automatically.
• Automate Data Collection: Set up your script to run at intervals and store results in a database or file for later analysis.

Third-Party Monitoring Services

Third-party services offer detailed insights and alerts about your internet speed:

• Subscription Services: Some services offer detailed monitoring and will alert you if your internet speed drops below a certain threshold. These can be particularly useful for businesses that rely on stable internet connectivity.

By utilizing one or more of these methods, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of your internet speed trends over time. This not only helps in troubleshooting but also ensures that you are getting the bandwidth you need for your online activities.

18.04.24

Written by: Carl J. Jones